3 Young players the Spurs must develop, 3 to give up on
By Cal Durrett
![Malaki Branham, Victor Wembanyama, Blake Wesley, Julian Champagnie, Dominick Barlow Malaki Branham, Victor Wembanyama, Blake Wesley, Julian Champagnie, Dominick Barlow](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4987,h_2805,x_0,y_232/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/29/01h6765bayg8gp3ae7t0.jpg)
Develop: Keldon Johnson
Johnson led the Spurs in scoring last season by averaging 22 points per game and should be better next season for a couple of reasons. The most obvious is Wembanyama, who will draw a lot of defensive attention, especially when near the paint. The other being that he had a down season from three and should hopefully bounce back with a summer to work on his shot.
After improving as a driver and finisher last season, rediscovering his shooting form from outside would potentially be a big deal. He is also starting the first year of a four-year, $74 million extension, and another career season could solidify his contract as one of the best in the NBA.
Factor in that it is the same length as Victor Wembanyama's rookie contract, and that should increase the chances that he stays in San Antonio. It will come down to how he fits with Wembanyama, but there is no reason to think that he won't fit well playing alongside the team's new franchise player. Thus, the Spurs should continue to develop Johnson instead of giving up on him.
manual